Ease cold stress in calves with milk replacers
The following feeding recommendations for Kent milk replacers will help with cold stress and provide calves the energy they need to continue to grow and thrive:
- Feed additional milk replacer either as an additional feeding or split across existing feedings.
- Add 2.0 ounces of Milk Energizer to the Kent milk replacer you are feeding two times per day.
- Feed Kent Milk Formula 1 Winterizer, which provides additional fat for energy.
Management practices for cold weather calving
Several other management practices to follow during cold stress periods are:
- Ensure calves consume a minimum of three to four quarts of high-quality colostrum as soon after birth as possible, preferably in the first hour after birth. A good-quality colostrum replacer that will provide 150 grams of IgG should be fed if an adequate amount of quality colostrum is not available.
- Dry the calf off as quickly after birth as possible.
- Provide dry deep bedding to keep the calf as warm as possible. Provide enough bedding to keep bedding dry and for “nesting” (bedding over the legs of the calf).
- Calf jackets help keep calves warm, just remember to adjust straps as the calf grows.
- Provide proper ventilation for calves housed indoors but avoid direct drafts on the calf. Proper ventilation provides fresh air that helps reduce air-borne pathogens and ammonia.
- Feed milk replacer at consistent intervals.
- Feed milk replacer as close to body temperature as possible (102°F). If fed at less than body temperature, the calf must use energy to warm to body temperature.
- Offer warm water (102°F) 30 minutes after feeding milk replacer and at intervals during the day, if possible. Water is essential to start and keep the digestive tract working properly and to stimulate dry matter intake (starter).
- Get the calf on a good-quality starter as quickly as possible. Feeding 2.5 ounces of a good calf starter provides the same energy as 1 ounce of Milk Energizer or 1.5 ounces of a 20% fat milk replacer.
